Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A- | 5 USERS: A YOU GRADE IT Yeah, I Don't Do Teen Drama
By Cindy McLennan | Season 4 | Episode 5 | Aired on 11.08.2012
Mystic Falls. Stefan's downtown, talking to Klaus, who is still at his Italian dig. Stefan wants Klaus to get the hybrids on board with Stefan's plan because since he can't tell anyone anything, he can't guarantee that Damon or Tyler won't kill Connor.
Alaric's Apartment. Oh. Okay. So, are they still paying rent for a dead guy? I guess maybe Alaric hasn't been dead all that long, and maybe Elena and Jeremy even own the building, but still, this caught me by surprise. I like that the show keeps hitting Alaric's loss, though. It distracts me from Elena's COMPASSION. Speaking of Elena, she's looking out the window and notices that Stefan's talking on the phone. When she wonders with whom, Damon says, "Bonnie, hopefully. Maybe she's decided to make herself useful, again." Hee. Some fans get so pissed when Bonnie is reduced to a utility character. In terms of storytelling, I get that feeling, and maybe even share it to some degree. That said, I love when Damon talks about her like she's nothing but his tool. It's just so Damon.
So, Damon gathers up a few of Ric's remaining weapons and then shows Elena a map. "It's our way in, courtesy of Alaric Saltzman's interest in the Mystic Falls Underground Railroad." Okay, while I appreciate the tip of the hat to Ric's role as historian, I do hope that someone on this show knows that the "Underground" part of "Underground Railroad," wasn't usually underground. There were some tunnels and hiding places, but underground in this case mostly means secret, not literally subterranean. I mean, I'll allow this usage, I just don't want it to mix people up. Look, I'm tired and cranky. Let's move on.
Elena says these are like the ones under the Lockwood cellar. Damon says, "Yep." The phone rings. It's Stefan. He's tuned his vamponic hearing toward the Grill, and can hear Matt and April in there, as well as Jeremy. Damon reminds Stefan the clock is ticking. Stefan: "You know, I could do without the color commentary," and hangs up.
Elena tells Damon she's going in through the tunnels. Damon says since Connor doesn't know she's a vamp, it's better to keep it that way. Elena suggests offering herself as a trade for the hostages. Damon: "No! Best case scenario is, now you're a hostage. Worst case scenario -- he figures you out, kills you on the spot." Elena reminds Damon that Alaric trained her and she's been practicing with Stefan. Oh, honey, you can't even feed off a Roofie Rapist without feeling guilty, and now you're ready to go up against Boy-Buffy? I don't think so.